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Published on 11/21/08
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Chicago historian
Sarah Marcus, historian and managing editor of Chicago History Museum’s online Encyclopedia of Chicago (encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org), lets us in on Chicago’s secret past.
“No one thinks about a flat place having a continental divide—but there’s one that runs through the Chicago area. On the Southwest Side [in Oak Park and other suburbs], there’s an old glacial ridge: To the west of that line, all water flows into the Mississippi River; to the east, water flows into the Great Lakes.”
“Chicago was a national center for beer brewing. In 1900, there were 60 breweries—that’s no secret. But we came across a provision from 1886, and it specified beer breaks for [brewery] employees designated at 6am, 9am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm. And they limit you to three glasses at a time. Sounds like a pretty good gig. One brewery is still around—although it’s no longer making beer: The Schoenhofen [18th St and Canalport Ave] is a Chicago landmark.” The building now houses a telecommunications firm and a construction company, but plans are in the works to restore the building to house a restaurant, galleries and other businesses.
“Blues legend Willie Dixon is internationally known and absolutely essential [to blues]. But a little-known fact is he actually came to Chicago as a boxer; he won a Golden Gloves title and even sparred some with Joe Louis. Now there’s a Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation in the old home of [legendary blues label] Chess Records [2120 S Michigan Ave; tours Mon–Fri noon–4pm, Sat noon–2pm].”
—Madeline Nusser
Rabes
Wed, Jul 23, at 02:23pm
I agree that Montrose is not that good, I prefer Foster if you must, and go up to Peterson if you can, that is even better that Irving with the current construction
Mark Walter
Tue, Jul 22, at 03:21pm
To cut across the city from east to west, “Montrose can be really good during rush hour.”
Mr. Lutfallah must surely have meant this as a joke. As a 10+ year resident of various neighborhoods in close proximity to Montrose, I assure you this is a bad idea. The 4 lanes of Irving Park is always going to be faster.
